You are here:
- Home
- Parenting/Family
- Parenting Special Needs
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- ADD recently diagnosed
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ADD recently diagnosed
Advertisement
Question
My 9 year old son was diagnosed with ADD 4 because he gets distracted and has difficulty paying attention at school. I'm trying to determine what would help him best and I'm feeling overwhelmed. He also has problems with his handwriting. His pediatrician recommends Ritalin LA. I'm concerened about giving him stimulant medications so I'm thinking of trying Strattera firs. Do you know anything about Strattera? What do you think of biofeedback? We are also planning to get help with behavior modification. thank you!
Dear Diane,
I'm sorry that it took me a while to respond to your e-mail. Thanks for asking me your question. Medications are often hit and miss, you just have to try each one until you find the one that fits and helps the the symptoms. Straterra is a good option. Discuss it with your son's doctor.
You may want to look into occupational therapy for your son's handwriting issues and it may help with trying some sensory strategies that may help with his alertness as well. I would investigate the occupational therapy before delving into biofeedback at this early stage. Are you looking for help for behavior problems or more for organizational help? You may want to go to a website called the ADD warehouse where you might find some books that might help you with the education you'll need to begin effective parenting with a child with ADD.
I hope that helps some. Have a Merry Christmas.
Christine
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you - your response was very helpful. I've found a good ADD specialist in the area to discuss meds with. I realized that I was not getting enough help from the pediatrician we were seeing so I was uncomfortable. Finding the right fit with professional help is so important. I agree that OT is helpful but unfortunately it is no longer covered by our insurance so I'm trying to find alternatives and I am appealing to the insurance company too. Your response helps me realize the importance of getting back to OT. Enjoy the holidays! | ||
Related Articles
- Parenting and ADD - Parenting ADD Children
- Types of Help Available - Raising Adolescent Boys
- Teens and ADHD - Teens Resisting ADHD Medication
- Foster Care Adoption Leads to Forever Family - Reader Submissions: Adoption Stories - When We Became a Forever Family
- Drugs for Autistic Behaviors -- When Should Drugs Be Used to Control Autistic Behaviors?
Answers by Expert:
Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP
Expertise
My expertise is both personal and professional. I am an adult with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, and I am an ASHA certified Speech-language pathologist. I worked in the school system, giving direct theraputic servies to children with both language difficulties and attention deficit disorder. (I am very familiar with the IEP process and the IDEA.)I have consulted on-line, in person and via the telephone with a number of parents of children with ADD.
Experience
My area of expertise lies in my holistic approach to ADD and other similar neurologically-based conditions including Non-verbal learning disorders. I am a researcher of medical treatments, studies regarding concrete documentation of the geographical differences in the "ADD" brain (PET scans, SPECT scans, etc.) herbal treatments, functional organizational strategies for children and adults (stuff that'll get you through the day; sensory techniques for relaxation and stress relief; and organizational tools - from the technological to the home-grown type. I am also a researcher of other conditions that are frequently co-existing with ADD. I have read extensively about women's issues and am an empathetic individal who would like to share strength, hope, experience and education.
Organizations
I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competency issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.